Category Archives: Business

Association of Commerce and Industry

Posted on November 2, 2013 by editor

The Association of Commerce and Industry was formed in 1953 by a merger involving the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the Springfield Manufacturers and Employers Association and the Springfield Industrial Development Commission. See Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

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Bank run of 1932 (George Bunn Jr. memoir)

Posted on November 2, 2013 by editor

George “Gib” Bunn Jr. remembered Springfield’s banking crisis of December 1932 in an oral interview conducted in 1973. The interviewer was John Bucari. Below is an edited transcript of the section of the interview dealing with the failure of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Depression, Prominent figures | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Board of Trade

Posted on November 1, 2013 by editor

The Springfield Board of Trade was formed in 1869. See Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

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John Bressmer Co.

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

The John W. Bressmer Co. was founded as a dry goods store in 1861 and later expanded into a full-fledged department store, selling men’s and women’s clothing, furniture and household items. With Myers Brothers, it was one of downtown Springfield’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Business, Department stores, Disasters, Historic Sites, National Register, Prominent figures | 15 Comments

The Bunn family

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Grocer Jacob Bunn Sr. (1814-97) and his younger brother John Whitfield Bunn (1831-1920) began a family whose energy and initiative have helped mold Springfield for more than 150 years.  Their business interests have ranged from the original Springfield Marine Bank … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Early residents, First Citizens, Historic Sites, Lincoln, Abraham, Prominent figures | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Bunn-O-Matic Corp.

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Update: Bunn-O-Matic, renamed BUNN Commercial, was sold in March 2026 to the Ali Group, a global food service conglomerate (though apparently now based in Chicago, Ali was founded in Italy). Ali’s plans for Bunn’s Springfield operations were unclear.  George Regan … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Prominent figures | 4 Comments

Business Men’s Association

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

See Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.

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Jabez Capps (1828 pioneers)

Posted on October 31, 2013 by editor

Jabez Capps (1796-1896), one of several energetic siblings who made their marks in both the U.S. and England, was a prominent merchant between 1819, when he arrived in Sangamon County, until 1836, when he moved away and helped found the … Continue reading →

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Carpenter’s Mill

Posted on October 30, 2013 by editor

Carpenter’s Mill, a saw and grist mill, was built in 1845 near where modern Business Route 55 crosses the Sangamon River south of Sherman. The rock cut where the old road went through the bluff is still visible. The mill … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Industry, Mills, Prominent figures | Leave a comment

Chapman Laundry

Posted on October 30, 2013 by editor

The Edwards & Chapman Laundry was founded in 1905 by H.C. “Kelly” Edwards (1872-1938) and Alvin Chapman (1873-1958) and grew rapidly, moving into its own specially constructed building in the 100 block  of West Cook Street in 1908. The 26,500-square-foot … Continue reading →

Posted in Buildings, Business, Industry, Prominent figures | Tagged | 8 Comments